Tag Archives: Bill Owens

Bill Phillips, a country singer known for his yearning, emotional vocals and for his role in introducing Dolly Parton to the record-buying public, died Monday, Aug. 23 at age 72.

Born in the western North Carolina town of Canton, Mr. Phillips first came to attention as part of Miami, Fla. station WMIL's multi-artist jamboree. Two duets with Florida-reared Mel Tillis reached the Top 30 of Billboard’s country singles chart in 1959 and 1960, but it was not until 1966, when Mr. Phillips recorded a song by then-unknown Dolly Parton, that he experienced major success.

Parton was living in something akin to poverty when Mr. Phillips heard her demo of “Put It Off Until Tomorrow,” a song she wrote with her uncle, Bill Owens. Impressed with the composition and also with the “girl singer” on the tape, Mr. Phillips recorded the song with Parton singing prominent harmony vocals. (Listen to it above.)

The song became Mr. Phillips’ first Top 10 hit, and it launched Parton’s career. Months after “Put It Off Until Tomorrow” peaked at No. 6 on the Billboard country singles chart in April of 1966, Parton secured cuts from Skeeter Davis and Hank Williams Jr., and she soon signed a record contract.Continue reading →